Feral pigeons are among the most persecuted urban wildlife. Understanding their welfare needs and the evidence behind population management helps inform humane approaches.
Urban pigeon welfare is largely ignored in city management despite the significant suffering caused by some control methods. Pigeon spikes that entangle birds cause prolonged suffering before death. Poisoning causes internal haemorrhage and protracted death. The irony is that lethal control maintains elevated population pressure without long-term reduction. Fertility control is more humane, more effective, and the only approach that delivers lasting population stabilisation.